Free Agent Frenzy 2024

[Flashsabre]

I like the 4th line construction.

They need to upgrade Joker on the 2nd pair and an impact forward through trades now.

[thewookie1]

In terms of team depth; it seems we've finally figured out the whole acquiring Bot 6 players that aren't Top 6 players that underachieved very well.

[ExWNYer]

Buck up, campers. Development camp has officially started.

 

[Rasmus_]

  On 7/1/2024 at 6:02 PM, xzy89c1 said:

I would like to get Trouba and Kappo from Rangers. Should not cost much except cap space. Trouba slots into third pair with only 2 years left on contract. Kills penalties and is PHYSICAL. Kappo is a lottery ticket.

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Kakko is a bust with not much upside.  Trouba isn't worth a ton.  Sure if they want cash considerations and a 5th, make the trade.  Anyone who believes that Kakko is more than what he showed, is nuts.  He's all draft profile at this point. 

[Archie Lee]

  On 7/1/2024 at 5:59 PM, xzy89c1 said:

one of the biggest complaints we all had was the bottom 6. Seems to be addressed. Once frenzy dies down in a couple weeks I hope there is a trade coming...

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Barring an unexpected signing like Henrique or Wennberg, or a trade, we are going to come in $7-8 million below the cap.  Still things that can happen.

[dudacek]

Are we up to 7 Sabres signings now?

Is this some kind of record for the 1st 2 hours of free agency for Buffalo?

And I don’t know that we’ve eaten up much more than $10M yet.

[ExWNYer]

Boosh...

 

[WhenWillItEnd66]

So,  bottom set,  need a rugged defenseman,  and a top 6 forward

[triumph_communes]

Have a logjam at defense. Curious if that means Joki is getting traded 

[dudacek]

  On 7/1/2024 at 6:18 PM, WhenWillItEnd66 said:

So,  bottom set,  need a rugged defenseman,  and a top 6 forward

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10 forwards and 8 defencemen now on 1-way contracts.

UPL, Krebs, Jokiharju and Malenstyn still to re-sign.

$20M in cap space left.

[Brawndo]

The entire front office is at the first development camp practice, so I imagine things remain quiet for a short while at least 

[mjd1001]

  On 7/1/2024 at 4:41 PM, Rasmus_ said:

Jason Zucker.  

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When you have cap space THIS year, and you bring in a guy on a 1 year deal....unless that deal is taking up so much of this years cap that you can't sign someone else then I don't think it is a 'stupid deal'.  The guy has scored 41 goals in the last 2 seasons (with missing some games) so its not like he is a 5-goal-per-year 4th liner.

[shrader]

Why does Detroit have so many goalies?

[LGR4GM]

  On 7/1/2024 at 6:34 PM, Brawndo said:

The entire front office is at the first development camp practice, so I imagine things remain quiet for a short while at least 

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Why not go watch prospects practice, not like they've got creative ideas to improve the Sabres. 

  On 7/1/2024 at 6:44 PM, shrader said:

Why does Detroit have so many goalies?

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Yzerman thinks you can play multiple at a time. 

[DarthEbriate]

  On 7/1/2024 at 6:34 PM, Brawndo said:

The entire front office is at the first development camp practice, so I imagine things remain quiet for a short while at least 

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Huh.

Do other franchises just opt out of the afternoon on day 1 of UFA to go do an employee onboarding call? Seems like Dev Camp could wait until 7/2 to get started.

[oddoublee]

  On 7/1/2024 at 4:32 PM, tom webster said:

Best thing that has happened today for Buffalo is Stamkos and Marchessault signing out west and Boston spending like drunken sailors for a third line center and a 4/5 defenseman.

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We will not enjoy playing Boston, again, for the next few years. I trust their ability to bring in appropriate talent far more than Buffalo.

[TheAud]

  On 7/1/2024 at 6:51 PM, DarthEbriate said:

Huh.

Do other franchises just opt out of the afternoon on day 1 of UFA to go do an employee onboarding call? Seems like Dev Camp could wait until 7/2 to get started.

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It's yet another data point as to how clueless the organization's leadership really is. 

[nfreeman]

It kinda feels like they're done in the FA market and will look to add a 3C via trade -- which may not happen for a while.

That's fine with me, and probably the correct approach, but it will of course depend on whom they bring in.

  On 7/1/2024 at 4:31 PM, thewookie1 said:

I still think that our best bet is to try and get Lundell from Florida with all of their intentions of re-signing/extending players

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I think the likelihood of Florida trading Lundell is about the same as the likelihood of TB trading Cirelli -- i.e. zero.

The good teams don't trade their core guys.  They figure out how to dump a couple of overpaid fringe guys instead.

[PotentPowerPlay21]

It feels like the rest of the league is feasting on meat and potatoes and the Sabres are fighting for the parsley garnish.

[ExWNYer]

  On 7/1/2024 at 6:56 PM, TheAud said:

It's yet another data point as to how clueless the organization's leadership really is. 

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[ska-T Palmtown]

  On 7/1/2024 at 7:01 PM, PotentPowerPlay21 said:

It feels like the rest of the league is feasting on meat and potatoes and the Sabres are fighting for the parsley garnish.

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can i interest you in a vegan meat substitute burger?

[Weave]

  On 7/1/2024 at 6:55 PM, oddoublee said:

We will not enjoy playing Boston, again, for the next few years. I trust their ability to bring in appropriate talent far more than Buffalo.

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I don’t know how any Sabres fan can mock Boston’s methods. They continue to emphasize winning and then….. win.

Edited July 1, 2024 by Weave

[JustOneParade]

  On 7/1/2024 at 6:34 PM, Brawndo said:

The entire front office is at the first development camp practice, so I imagine things remain quiet for a short while at least 

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Probably so. But I also have to assume their cell phones work in the Harbor Center if something comes up. (For those flipping out that they’re there).

[thewookie1]

  On 7/1/2024 at 7:01 PM, PotentPowerPlay21 said:

It feels like the rest of the league is feasting on meat and potatoes and the Sabres are fighting for the parsley garnish.

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Frankly its kind of the opposite in terms of style ironically enough

We have been targeting the meat & potatoes type players versus the fancy garnishes 

[SDS]

  On 7/1/2024 at 7:04 PM, Weave said:

I don’t know how any Sabres fan can mock Boston’s methods. They continue to emphasize winning and then….. win.

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How much easier is life when you have legitimate NHL stars for well over a decade on the first line that pushes all the wannabes down to the second line? 

Life is much harder trying to punch above your weight class.